OCM – Communications Strategy

 

Purpose

 

The purpose of this deliverable is to produce an approach for delivering a series of Organizational Change Management (OCM) communications, which will occur over a given period of time.  The communication messages should specifically address findings from the organizational risk assessments, along with providing awareness of the SAP implementation and its associated business benefits and objectives.

 

How should it be produced

 

The current channels of communications within the company implementing SAP should be analyzed and assessed by the Organizational Change Management Team for effectiveness and suitability. If the current channels of communication are a viable option, then the intended messages should be developed and sent through normal channels. If some of the current channels are not a suitable vehicle for communication of the SAP implementation, then alternatives need to be identified, discussed and presented by the Organizational Change Management Team to the Project Management Office, and the people who will be delivering the communications. 

 

Once the strategy is defined, a communications schedule should be created, defining who will be delivering the communications, the intended messages, the location, and audience. Careful attention needs to be paid to determining the success of each individual communication opportunity.

 

What if it is not done

 

If a strategy for project communications is not developed prior to communicating the intended messages, it is quite possible that undue time and money will be spend sending messages through ineffective channels. Also, messages can be sent through inappropriate channels. Solely based on the sequence of communications, messages can be unintentionally misconstrued.

 

Source of Input (Deliverable/Other)

 

Input

 

Project Procedures, Standards and Tools

·         Communications Framework

Project Plans

 

·         Budget Plan (Communications Budget)

·         Project Plan

<Customer Input>

·         Existing and available corporate communications methods and philosophy

·         Known Change Impacts

OCM – Organizational Alignment Action and Executive Sponsorship Plan

·         Risk Assessment Results and Profile

 

Outputs

 

Refer to breakdown of the deliverable in the roadmap structure.

 

Additional Information

 

Communication supports organizational change by assisting affected individuals in the organization with moving up the Change Commitment Curve.

 

In early stages of the project, it is necessary to build awareness and understanding. During later phases it is imperative to generate acceptance and commitment.